US, Aug. 29, 2016 – The United States of America has agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners.
Issue of defence and trade were contained in a joint statement issued by US Secretary of Defence, Ashton Carter and Minister of Defence of India, Mr. Manohar Parrikar during the 3-day visit of Parrikar to the US.
Minister Parrikar and Secretary Carter discussed India’s “Major Defense Partner” designation, announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington in June.
“They agreed on the importance this framework will provide to facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defense technology and trade cooperation. To this end, the United States has agreed to elevate defense trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners”, the joint statement said.
Secretary Carter welcomed India’s membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and reaffirmed U.S. support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Secretary Carter and Minister Parrikar welcomed continued progress under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). They welcomed the decision at the DTTI meeting in Delhi in July to broaden its agenda by setting up five new joint working groups on: naval systems; air systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; chemical and biological protection; and other systems.
They also noted the signing of an information exchange annex under the framework of the Aircraft Carrier Joint Working Group. Secretary Carter and Minister Parrikar also agreed to continue to their close consultation on “Make in India” proposals.
During their meeting, Minister Parrikar and Secretary Carter discussed the wealth of progress in bilateral cooperation and the deepening strategic partnership between the United States and India. The visit – their sixth interaction to date – demonstrates the importance both sides place on strengthening defense ties across many areas: from increased strategic and regional cooperation, to deepened military-to-military exchanges, to expanded collaboration on defense technology and innovation
Secretary Carter reiterated his appreciation for the support provided by Minister Parrikar and the Government of India that facilitated the recovery and repatriation of U.S. World War II remains in April. Minister Parrikar reinforced his commitment to this important mission and he and Secretary Carter were pleased that the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) would return to India Nov. 1-Dec. 14 to survey additional aircraft crash locations.
